The Constitution · Article VII
Article VII: Ratification
About 10 min total: 5 min reading + 5 min for its 3 practice questions
The Constitution took effect when 9 of the 13 states ratified by convention.
- Signed
- September 17, 1787
- In effect
- Ratified June 21, 1788 (9th state); government began March 4, 1789
What's in Article VII
| Section | What it covers |
|---|---|
| — | Ratification by conventions in nine states establishes the Constitution among those states; followed by the signatures of the delegates. |
Key clauses
Ratification
"The Ratification of the Conventions of nine States, shall be sufficient for the Establishment of this Constitution between the States so ratifying the Same."
Nine states, acting through special conventions elected by the people, were enough.
Quotations: National Archives transcription of the Constitution (original spelling, such as "chuse" and "Defence").
Why it was written this way
Requiring all 13 states, as the Articles did, would have let one state (Rhode Island had refused to send delegates) block the new government. Using conventions rather than state legislatures grounded the Constitution in the people (popular sovereignty, "We the People") and bypassed legislators who might lose power. Delaware ratified first (December 7, 1787); New Hampshire became the ninth state on June 21, 1788; government under the Constitution began on March 4, 1789; Rhode Island ratified last, on May 29, 1790.
What the FCLE tends to ask
- Nine of 13 states; Delaware first; New Hampshire ninth; Rhode Island last.
- Federalists vs. Anti-Federalists and the Federalist Papers.
| This | With this |
|---|---|
| Article VII: 9 states to ratify the Constitution | Article V: three-fourths to ratify amendments |